So Many Wishes

The last time I was with my grandsons we headed to our favorite park to feed the ducks and walk through the woods. As we were heading back to the car, we came across the overgrown field pictured above. Just as I was thinking how badly the field needed to be tended to, the youngest one  jubilantly yelled, “Nana! Soooo many wishes!!” and took off running into the field. He was soon back with a hand full of white, cottony dandelions. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and blew as hard as he could; scattering the white seeds into the breeze. I stopped to take a picture of the field as a reminder to myself of the importance of perspective. What was to me an ugly field of weeds was to him an unlimited source of hopeful wishes.

Typically I am a “glass-half-full” kind of girl. In fact, I sometimes have trouble empathizing with people who won’t at least try to be positive about things. But I have to admit – the events of these past couple of months have created a true struggle for me to keep a positive perspective.

As an empty nester, I am dealing with things that many others are facing as well. A deep desire to grab my family and hold them tight, while realizing that can’t happen for quite some time. A longing to sit at dinner with my 90 year old mother, while accepting that our visits will be through the window for weeks to come. An unfathomable emptiness in my arms as I long to hold our new grandbaby. A lingering disappointment over cancelled trips and visits from loved ones.

In spite of the difficulty of the current situation, I am working intentionally to not only remain positive, but to encourage others as well. If you share in this struggle, maybe you’ll benefit from some of these strategies that are helping me to stay upbeat.

1. Start each day with scripture reading, meditation, prayer, inspirational music, etc. Often the very first thoughts that we put into our minds each day can help motivate us and set the tone for the day.
2. Take Ten. I have begun to take ten minutes each day to completely stop what I’m doing and simply check on or encourage someone. It can be a phone call, text, mailed greeting card – just some way to let someone else know that you’re thinking of them.
3. Move. As difficult as it sometimes is to get motivated to exercise, it seems that I always feel better after I get up and move.
4. Find a way to help others. Regardless of how bad your current situation is, someone else has it as bad or worse. Donate food, money or your time.
5. De-stress. For each of us this looks different; whatever it is that helps you forget your worries for a bit of time.
6. Connect. Find ways to spend time together. We have used Zoom meets, online Monopoly together, and social distancing visits across the yard. Our church and small group meet online. It is important not to feel isolated right now, even though we may physically feel that way.

Hopefully at least one of these suggestions might be helpful for you as you work to maintain a healthy mindset and a positive perspective.  Things will get better in the near future.

So. Many. Wishes.